The University of Chicago

Essay prompts (7)

1. why usQuestion 1 — all applicants using…2026-27
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   Question 1 (Required) — all applicants using the UChicago supplement

   How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to UChicago.

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2. weirdQuestion 2: Extended Essay2026-27
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   Question 2: Extended Essay (Required; choose one)

   Essay Option 1: Food for thought: How do thoughts eat? Inspired by Ernest Leong, Class of 2026

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3. weirdQuestion 2: Extended Essay2026-27
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   Question 2: Extended Essay (Required; choose one)

   Essay Option 2: The James Webb Space Telescope, launched in 2021, utilized origami-inspired techniques to compactly store and deploy its sunshield in space. Choose an artistic practice and use its principles to propose an elegant solution to a problem. Inspired by Akhil Korra, Class of 2028

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4. weirdQuestion 2: Extended Essay2026-27
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   Question 2: Extended Essay (Required; choose one)

   Essay Option 3: Sometimes metaphors get mixed up. For one reason or another, one could say, "we'll burn that bridge when we get there" or "the world is your china shop". Make up your own mixed metaphor. Explain how it could make sense, be understood, or even applied. Inspired by Julia Nieberg, Class of 2029

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5. weirdQuestion 2: Extended Essay2026-27
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   Question 2: Extended Essay (Required; choose one)

   Essay Option 4: The Olympics have long celebrated the pinnacle of human athletic achievement. But what if they expanded to honor the mundane? Imagine a new Olympic event built around an everyday activity like speed dishwashing or competitive grocery bagging. How is it scored, officiated, and judged? Why is it a worthy addition? Inspired by Ewan Smith, Class of 2028

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6. weirdQuestion 2: Extended Essay2026-27
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   Question 2: Extended Essay (Required; choose one)

   Essay Option 5: AI: Allen Iverson. NASA, or the North American Saxophone Alliance. Share a potentially confounding, comedic, or captivating example of MIA (Mistaken Identity of Acronym) and tell us its backstory. Inspired by Jeeho Byun, Class of 2030

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7. weirdQuestion 2: Extended Essay2026-27
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   Question 2: Extended Essay (Required; choose one)

   Essay Option 7: And, as always… the classic choose your own adventure option! In the spirit of adventurous inquiry, choose one of our past prompts (or create a question of your own). Be original, creative, thought provoking. Draw on your best qualities as a writer, thinker, visionary, social critic, sage, citizen of the world, or future citizen of the University of Chicago; take a little risk, and have fun!

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The school's published AI policy

UChicago publishes no AI policy for applicants: its essay, application, required-materials, preparing and admissions-FAQ pages contain no guidance on AI use.

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Prompts move mid-season

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